Computer Programmer salary in Washington
Computer Programmers in Washington earn a median of $125,620 a year ($60.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,400 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $100,390. Washington ranks 3rd of 46 states for computer programmers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.71 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $126,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| 25th percentile | $106,040 | $50.98 |
| Median | $125,620 | $60.39 |
| 75th percentile | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,400 | $80.00 |
| Average (mean) | $126,540 | $60.84 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,468.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,234.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,831.54 |
| Weekly | $2,415.77 |
| Hourly | $60.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $125,240 | n/a |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $108,740 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $104,240 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $102,150 | 30 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $99,150 | 820 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $166,540 | $80.07 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $129,410 | $62.22 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $75,220 | $36.17 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $128,940 | $61.99 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $130,480 | $62.73 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,910 | $49.96 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,480 | $61.77 |
| Information Security Analyst | $154,940 | $74.49 |
| Computer Network Architect | $168,070 | $80.81 |
| Web Developer | $130,440 | $62.71 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Database Architect | $128,760 | $61.90 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $202,400 | $97.31 |
| Database Administrator | $118,140 | $56.80 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Washington?
The median salary for computer programmers in Washington is $125,620 a year, or $60.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Washington?
The top 10% of computer programmers in Washington earn at least $166,400 a year. The top 25% earn $142,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,760 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $106,040 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Washington?
About 2,540 computer programmers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.